2026 KENTUCKY DERBY - FINAL TOP 10 - Presented by DK Horse
Video Overview & Insights
Peter Thomas Fornatale (PTF) and Jonathon Kinchen (JK) reveal the final Kentucky Derby Top 10 as compiled by Eric DeCoster, with the 2026 Derby picture now sharpening after major prep race wins in the Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, Louisiana Derby, Jeff Ruby Steaks, Virginia Derby, and Fukuryu Stakes. This episode centers on the final Kentucky Derby Top 10 list without revealing the order here, while spotlighting the horses who have done the most to earn attention on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Always end up on top couple of favorites....
The final Top 10 includes Renegade, Commandment, The Puma, Further Ado, Chief Wallabee, Incredibolt, Silent Tactic, Emerging Market, Danon Bourbon, and Fulleffort. Renegade comes in off a Grade 1 Arkansas Derby victory at Oaklawn Park and closed as the favorite in Future Pool 6, while Commandment stamped his class with a Grade 1 Florida Derby win at Gulfstream Park. The Puma was right there in the Florida Derby as well, finishing second after another battle-tested performance, and Further Ado forced his way into the conversation with a huge Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes win at Keeneland.
Chief Wallabee continued to build his résumé with strong efforts in both the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby for Bill Mott, while Incredibolt added a Virginia Derby win for Riley Mott after already showing quality at Churchill Downs. Silent Tactic brings consistency to the table for Mark Casse, having finished first or second in all of his starts while competing in races like the Southwest, Rebel, and Arkansas Derby. Emerging Market adds intrigue after winning the Louisiana Derby in just his second lifetime start for Chad Brown, and Danon Bourbon gives the list an international angle after his Fukuryu Stakes win at Nakayama. Fulleffort also enters the final Kentucky Derby conversation after taking the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks and trying to answer the dirt question on the first Saturday in May.
To My Number One Handicapper 🎖️ JK 🎖️, Here's A Proposal Of Mine, Knowing You, You'll Find Very Interesting ( A word you often use)__ Now Here's My Proposal To You, To Really Promote Horse Racing Not Only In America But Also The Outside World Where Horse Racing Is Very Huge And Is Taking Over The Continent Of Asia, Here's The Deal, We Need Not Only A Triple Crown For (3) Three Year Olds But Also A Triple Crown For (4) Four Year Olds, The Top Thirty Qualifiers Of The (3) Year Old Kentucky Derby, Would Meet In A Quarter-Finals Rounds Then A Semi-Finals Rounds, With The Top Twenty (20) Qualifying For The (4) Four Year Old Triple Crown, And The Top Three (3) Finishers Of The Kentucky Derby The Preakness The Belmont Automatically Qualify For The Four Year Old Triple Crown, This Would Encourage Owners And Trainers To Continue The Promotion Of Racing Along With It's Present Promotions Which Overall Isn't Really Promoting Racing It's Promoting Breeding, And If The Truth Been Measured Fairly Breeding Is Only Beneficial To The Breeders, And Not The Sport Of Racing, Because 87% Of All Breeders Do Not Action Off Their Best Yearlings, Most Kentucky Derby Winner Didn't Came By Way Of Sales, Especially Our Last Six Derby Winners All Belonging To Their Respective Breeders, So Who's Really Getting All The Benefits Of Racing While The Sports Keep Fading, And Another Unforseen Danger, What If The Top Twelve Jockeys Of America All Went To Asia Especially In Dubai And Saudi And Japan, Do You Realize What Would've Become Of American Racing, Just Think About This For A Few Seconds, The Asian Will Emulate The American Racing Strategies, Having Their Own Three Year Old And Four Year Old Triple Crown Races, So Super Champion Handicapper 🎖️🐎 JK 🐎🎖️ What You Think About This (3)+(4) Year Old Triple Crown, Isn't It A Great Promotional Tool For Our American Horse Racing Since The Breeders Are Getting All The Fame While The Game Of Horse Racing Keeps Fading Slowly But Surely, Had Bill Russell And Magic Johnson And Kareem And Bird And Micheal Jordan Retired After Winning Their First Championship, Would The Dynasties Of The Lakers & Celtics & Bulls Be The Same, And Where Would The NBA Be, Every Year In America Horse Racing Starts Allover From Scratch, With The Breeders Taking Away All The Future Superstars Of Racing, After The Triple Crown Racing Continues In America But Without It's Real Superstars,,,,Ps,,JK Your Still One Of The Very Best,,,,🎖️⭐ Mr. KeeNObserVatioN PhD,⭐🎖️
This final Kentucky Derby Top 10 also sits within a much wider Derby landscape that has included names such as Potente, So Happy, Albus, Pavlovian, Golden Tempo, Ottinho, Right to Party, Nearly, Iron Honor, Chip Honcho, Wonder Dean, Six Speed, and others who have helped shape the 3-year-old division. Horses like Further Ado, Renegade, Commandment, Chief Wallabee, and The Puma have been central figures in recent Kentucky Derby rankings, while others such as Incredibolt, Emerging Market, Silent Tactic, Danon Bourbon, and Fulleffort continue to add depth and intrigue to the 2026 Kentucky Derby field.
With the Kentucky Derby set for Churchill Downs, this video is built for horse racing fans following Derby contenders, Kentucky Derby prep races, speed figures, pedigree angles, future odds, and the final shape of the Derby trail. Whether you are tracking Renegade, Commandment, The Puma, Further Ado, Chief Wallabee, Incredibolt, Silent Tactic, Emerging Market, Danon Bourbon, or Fulleffort, this episode delivers the final Eric DeCoster Kentucky Derby Top 10 discussion as the Run for the Roses approaches.
I think yall might over look so happy with the old man on his back
As a reminder, you can sign up for the FREE Players' Newsletter at https://www.inthemoneypodcast.com/email - This weekly newsletter, sent on Friday, is a hub for horse racing content from the ITM Team and our partners.
If you want even more premium handicapping analysis, including exclusive podcasts, detailed written analysis, and show notes from the free podcasts, please check out ITM Plus - https://www.inthemoneypodcast.com/plus
1111sďi look forward seeing the new baby’s welcome by Clarence. I hope they will teach how the gentle alll the while complaining he is left out.
More User Perspectives
So Happy, top 10, c'mon !
@troy8579The long stride on Danon Bourbon is striking. I like that he has broken track records in Japan because it shows he is not just racing a bad crop of three year olds. I don’t see a standout among the American contingent so I’m leaning towards taking a shot with this versatile horse that can run all day.
@charleslockhart6778So Happy. Period. You heard it here first.
@richardv5674Further ado is the most impressive I've seen but I do think he'll bounce, if he does fire his best shot nobody's catching him. I like the puma a lot and My longshot is full effort to spring the upset , and take the Derby , the puma to place and further ado for the show spot , renegade fourth bet the ranch 🏇🤣
@samspaid-u4rFurther Ado reminds me of Fierceness. I expect to hear a lot of "which version of Further Ado will show up" even though every time he's raced he's been at least pretty good. Except maybe his 1st race, which wasn't horrible either.
@KT-iy9vcWhere can I get the past performances for the derby?
@RandySwanson-q3mThat picture of Renegade is awesome, but remember if he is in any of the first three gates beware. This race has more longshots win than any other G1 race. Commandment is my safe pick to finish in the money. The Puma is out of my favorite horse, Essential Quality, but he is a small horse who has to work harder.
@theearl1477I'm playing Golden Tempo across the board.
@Habsfan34Blah blah blah...bunch of babbling
@TheJustjim3333an analyst pointed out that Commandment's ears were pricked not pinned when he ran down The Puma, kinda wild
@lostsidewalkIf the pace is honest I believe Renegade will eat up the extra 1/8. If it's not and Renegade has to turn it on too soon or is just too far behind in traffic he might not catch the horses in the middle of the pack who will have plenty left. Irad Ortiz Jr, it's in his hands.
@RobertDeMartinI always take the OVER when he talks on tvs Day at the races. Um.um um um um um um um are his favorite words. 😂😂😂
@markshafrath2674Right To Party is very interesting
@Nando5544I want PTF to do a top 10 album reveal sometime, impressive LP collection
@StevefromChicago1RENEGADE❤
@pacojul27Silent Tactic and Danon Bourbon have the size and stamina to get the distance.
@riverbankHankPavlovian!!!!
@edwardwilliams4602I like J.K.. solid dude, be wary of Todd Schrupp J.K. .. he's a back stabbing weasel
@paulapodaca7090Also their appreciation for Churchill Downs track. Horses either love it or hate going back six decades when my uncle and grandfather trained in Kentucky. Some horses really move up on Churchill...if their daddy likes it the usually the offspring likes it more than other tracks
@BIG-BlueNation8569The puma winner kentucky derby
@T.A.MatosdeLeonI hope j.k. aint leaning towards my horse but sounded like. But he wont hit exacta cause he gave up on the mist likely 2nd place horse . Hes a good hadicaper but by his voice i can tell once hes already narrowing them down he just never looks back on them. Bad mistake.
@CarlCarlson-k5pJK I have missed you guys for while and JK you are just as Grey as me good to see u guys,
@JohnSharp-x2qRenegade and Further Ado.
@PhotoTrekrTHX (1)138
@LABoykoI have Emerging Market no. 5 on my list.
@nicholasmarzigliano7616While the top 5 horses are all solid choices , I'll be betting Emerging Market if he runs . I think in the final analysis he will prove to be the most talented of the lot and Chad is due for a Derby winner . BTW Pete , are you related to the NY disc jockey by the same name ?
@tedhowe2187This is gonna be one of the best crop of derby horses further ado Renegade Commandment are monsters im still gonna keep my future play 73/1 POTENTE not sure he can get the 10 furlongs the top 5 all can get the distance will absolutely play the top 5 in my pick 5 and looking for a win horse Potente is my future i dont think hes the 1. But who knows if BB can get him to go long should be a great betting board
@pasqualepugliese7335Further Adu best I ve seen this year
@JulieDavis-h8kI am keying a serious nice bomb... " Full Effort " I believe he will go off over 30-1.
Lot of $$$ going into chief, commandment and renegade...
Need to see Puma"s workouts, but I got him in the Exacta right now !
@patrickgreen3546WHO listed Irad Jr as being on Further Adu? Not this race !!
@patrickgreen3546Ask which Virginia derby winner about winning the KD 😂😂😂
@patrickgreen3546All in on Team Glatt-Smith-So Happy!
@KimberlyNorman-i5eI just searched Derby odds. What? Ezum? Huh?
Here it is:
AI Overview
As of April 2026, Renegade (4-1), Commandment (7-1), and Further Ado (8-1) are top contenders for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, with trainer Brad Cox holding multiple top choices. Ezum has also emerged as a potential 2-1 favorite following a strong performance. Odds are fluctuating based on final prep races and jockey commitments.
Key 2026 Kentucky Derby Contender Odds (Futures/Current):
Renegade: 4-1
Commandment: 6-1 / 7-1
Ezum: 2-1 (Morning-line)
Further Ado: 8-1
The Puma: 12-1
Chief Wallabee: 10-1 / 13-1
Potente: 15-1
Key Betting & Field Notes
Trainer Dominance: Brad Cox trains top contenders Commandment, Further Ado, and Ezum.
I'm on Chief Wallabee. Liked his debut and thought he could've easily won both the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby. I put some blame on Junior. Think the public will overlook him. But he may go off at 20/1 or so and I love that value. I like that this race, so far, doesn't have a huge favourite. I was at the Bluegrass and Further Ado obviously impressed me but the field was weak as well. So not sure what to think with him. But that was my first time at Keeneland so it was special.
@SammyMac19You have to fight for your Right to Party!
@badbeatbilly8997Scratch the 10 de said
@PeteKontominasIs that JK'S hair or a mic on his chest?
@jjjones-e5rPTF/JK,
Eric clearly doesn't have a very good knowledge of history. Did Eric consider the following before making Renegade #1
How many stallions have sired back-to-back KD winners? Into Mischief achieved the feat by a technicality. History suggests this will not recur in the short or medium term and certainly not by a KD entrant from a barn with a record of 65 stats in 21 KD with two lucky wins.
Todd Pletcher AK Derby winners & KD results -
2013 Overanalyze 1st by 41/2L; 11th in KD
2014 Danza 1st by 41/4L; 3rd in KD
2018 Magnum Moon 1st by 4L; 19th in KD
2026 Renegade 1st by 4L; Pending KD result
KD results in the last 5 years for the following trainers-
Brad Cox
2025 - FINAL GAMBIT, 4th
2024 - CATCHING FREEDOM, 4th
2023 - ANGEL OF MPIRE, 3rd
2022 - ALSO RAN
2021 - MANDALOUN; 2nd; Promoted to 1st.
2021 - ESSENTIAL QUALITY; 4th, Promoted to 3d.
Todd Pletcher
2025 - NO STARTER
2024 - ALSO RAN - POST TIME FAVORITE FIERCENESS
2023 - ALSO RAN
2022 - MO DONEGAL, 5th
2021 - ALSO RAN
Brad Cox has Fulleffort, Commandment and Further Ado. Todd Pletcher has Renegade and Class President who is unlikely to face the starter.
Given Cox's record compared to Pletcher's over the last 5 years, and his 3 likely starters compared to Pletcher's one: in addition to the KD results of Pletcher's AK Derby winners. Anyone that has Renegade ranked at #1has clearly not done any background work. This is why I have been critical of Eric rankings. He needs consider pertinent historic factors. and less reliant of performances. But given how you guys shower him with praise you are clearly victims of blind love.
Sailent tactic my choice for the Kentucky Derby 2026
@bonnysanchez4865Not that you guys are, but don’t underestimate Fullefort… Don’t forget about Two Phils coming from the Jeff Ruby (is Jeff Jacks cousin… who knows 🤷🏻♂️) to almost win the Derby in 2023… I think Fulleffort has a shot to at least hit the board and then some!!
@worstofwhiskeyill go with the longshot thia time..DANON BOURBON and FUTHER-ADO..lets go
@hermogenespelonio8988You guys don't even mention the Santa Anita Derby winner 😂
@joeglatt2826Just straight out play the chalk instead of using these apps cuz they're giving you the same thing
DEAD CHALKY FAVORITE HORSES .
BOOO!!!
DK HORSE APP BOO BOO BOO
APP
A CHALK PICKING APP
IS SORRY 😞
Same old tunes nothing new
@ayazahmed4304